Struggle and progress characterize Sudan's second anniversary

The euphoria that accompanied the birth of South Sudan as a nation on the 9th of July two years ago now seems like a fading memory, Hilde Johnson told the Security Council on Monday.

The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to the country said the key determinant for developments in South Sudan continues to remain its relations with its neighbour, Sudan.

“While the 12 April visit to Juba of President Omar al-Bashir – the first such visit since South Sudan's independence – was promising, counter-accusations by both sides of military support to rebel groups in each other's territories, and the threat by Sudan to shut down the oil pipeline was a new setback. With the recent visit by South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar Teny and a ministerial delegation to Khartoum, it is hoped that progress can be made.”

Ms. Johnson acknowledged that progress has been made in South Sudan since independence.

The country has consolidated peace and has become more stable and democratically accountable.

Progress has also been made in the reform of the South Sudan National Police Service and in the area of the rule of law.